TEMPE, Ariz. - For Chandler resident James Vanzanen, this day couldn't come soon enough.
"It feels pretty awesome … It’s an awesome thing," he said.
Vanzenen was first in line to the Mint’s new fully functional kitchen filled with THC infused pizzas, veggies burgers and plenty of baked goods.
"I've been watching them build the kitchen so I've been anticipating this day," Vanzenen said.
Owner Ray Molina says he's so excited the day is finally here.
"To be able to finally serve somebody after two years and working on the restaurant license for six or seven months. It’s an incredible feeling,” Molina said.
Molina hired renowned Chef Carylann Principal to run the kitchen. Principal says cooking for cancer patients that infused THC into their food really opened her eyes on how she could help people with their health.
"I’m amazed and the power of it and the healthy components and I’m excited be a part of the medical marijuana industry," Principal said.
Principal started her career as a private chef in New York City and has worked in kitchens across Phoenix for the past 15 years. She says the restaurant will offer healthy options that come with varying amounts of THC levels.
"As long as everything is calculated properly, you can have your 100-milligram brownie or 200 milligram veggie burger if you really want to go that high. But besides all that it’s really just calculations," Principal said.
"We really feel like we got an amazing chef," Molina said. "We went through an extensive search process. People are going to love her food when they come here."
Right now, Principal is working to finalize the menu that is only take out. A variety of baked goods are available at the restaurant now that includes everything from brownies, cupcakes and cookies.
"It's all made fresh everyday right here and we expect them to go fast," she said.
The price of baked goods is right around $10 for most of the products, but menu prices haven't been set at this point. It's something Principal says will happen before the restaurant has its grand opening Oct. 5.
Principal says there's something a lot of people are wondering: Is the food going to taste like marijuana?
"No, actually you’ll be really surprised," she said. "Some may have a faint taste. But, unlike you’re Uncle Bud's Brownies, things have changed," Principal said with a smile.
"It’s no longer ours, it’s her kitchen," Molina said. "We believe we got very lucky. She’s been key in setting up the place with policy and procedures…best of all it's the the knowledge and the passion she bring to the table."
For Customer James Vanzanen…he’s sure glad things have changed over the years.
"Everything they’ve made looks amazing can’t wait to try it," he said.